Human relationships registering system, method and device for registering human relationships, program for registering human relationships, and medium storing human relationships registering program and readable by computer

ABSTRACT

To provide a human relationships registering system, a method and a server for registering human relationships, a program for registering human relationships, and a medium storing human relationships registering program and readable by a computer, all of which are used to establish wide and close relationships with members having a variety of occupations or engaged in various technical fields and to obtain expert knowledge or information. The human relationships registering system comprises first data processing units  2  and  3  including sections for receiving personal data of a new member, and a second data processing unit including a section for storing the received personal data. The second data processing unit stores the personal data of the new member in correlation to an existing member when the existing member confirms the new member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a human relationships registeringsystem, a method and a server for registering human relationships, aprogram for registering human relationships, and a medium storing humanrelationships registering program and readable by a computer, all ofwhich are used to establish wide and close human relationships.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Up to now, there has been no efficient system or method which isusable in order to get acquainted with specialists in various particularfields and obtain expert knowledge or information.

[0005] Each person has been required to make every effort in order toestablish wide and close relationships with a great number of people.There has been no system which actively supports such a person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The present invention is intended to provide a humanrelationships registering system, a method and a server for registeringhuman relationships, a program for registering human relationships, anda medium for storing human relationships registering program andreadable by a computer, all of which are used to establish wide andclose human relationships.

[0008] Further, the invention aims at providing a human relationshipsregistering system, a method and a server for registering humanrelationships, a program for registering human relationships, and amedium storing human relationships registering program and readable by acomputer, all of which are used to establish wide and closerelationships with specialists in various particular fields and obtainexpert knowledge or information.

[0009] Means to Solve the Problems

[0010] In order to accomplish the foregoing object of the invention,there is provided a human relationships registering system comprising:

[0011] a first data processing unit including a section for inputtingpersonal data of new members;

[0012] and a second data processing unit including a section for storingthe personal data of the new members, and storing the personal data ofthe new members by confirming relationships of the new members withexisting members and correlating the new members with the existingmembers.

[0013] With the foregoing system, new members are not registered untilthey are confirmed by existing members, so that it is possible tomaintain reliable human relationships between members. Further, newmembers are correlated to existing members, which enable members to knowtheir relationships with one another and create their own humanrelationships data. A personal computer or a server computer isapplicable as a data processing unit in order to easily create humanrelationships data of a great number of members.

[0014] A further human relationships registering system comprises afirst data processing unit connected to the Internet and having an inputsection, and a second data processing unit connected to the first dataprocessing unit via the Internet, registering names of members receivedvia the input section and storing data concerning the members. The dataof new members received via the first data processing unit are confirmedby existing members, and are registered thereafter. The second dataprocessing unit stores the new members in correlation with the existingmembers.

[0015] In this system, the first and second data processing units areprovided at different locations and are connected via the Internet,which enables a number of members can gain access to the processingunits from any location in order to register themselves. Therefore, thissystem is very convenient to use.

[0016] In the foregoing case, new members may be registered after theyconfirm their own data.

[0017] It is preferable to store data concerning occupations of newmembers to be registered. This is effective in enabling members to knowspecialists in various particular fields and obtain expert knowledge orinformation. In short, human relationships data are usable as one ofeffective measures for carrying out business activities.

[0018] It is preferable to store relationships coefficients representingdegrees of relationships between particular members who agree toestablish human relationships therebetween, and store relationshipscoefficients of members who are related to the members who agree toestablish human relationships. The relationships coefficients may beeffective in establishing wide and close relationships between membersin a variety of technical fields, and promoting personal influences andcontribution to the society.

[0019] Relationships between members can be objectively known on thebasis of the relationships coefficients.

[0020] It is preferable to get agreement between existing members usinge-mails. For this purpose, e-mails may be exchanged between members whenit is necessary to establish relationships between them. In such a case,members may get acquainted with other members even when they do not knowof one another directly. This is effective in increasing therelationships coefficients.

[0021] The first data processing unit has a display to indicate a numberof members and personal data thereof. The display shows humanrelationships data between members out of basic data in which newmembers are correlated with existing members. When a particular memberis specified by the input section of the first data processing unit, thedisplay preferably shows the specified member in such a manner that itis correlated to particular existing members.

[0022] A method of registering human relationships comprises a firstdata processing step for connecting to the Internet and receiving datavia the Internet, and a second data processing step for registering aplurality of members' names received in the first data processing stepand storing personal data of the members. In the second data processingstep, data of a new member received via the Internet are registeredafter referring them back to an existing member, so that the newmember's data are stored as basic data in correlation with the existingmember.

[0023] This method is easily and effectively applicable to and used bythe human relationships registering system which operates via theInternet.

[0024] In the foregoing method, new members are preferably registeredafter they confirm their own data. Further, it is preferable to storedata concerning occupations, technical fields and so on of the newmembers. Still further, when relationships are established betweenexisting members upon their agreement, it is preferable to storerelationships coefficients therebetween and relationships coefficientsof members related to the existing members. The agreement betweenparticular existing members is preferably reached by exchanging -mails.

[0025] The registered human relationships data are preferably used inthe following steps:

[0026] creating human relationships data on the basis of basic data inwhich a plurality of members are correlated; indicating personal data ofmembers;

[0027] and indicating the created human relationships data.

[0028] In this case, it is preferable to select a particular member inthe first data processing step, and to indicate members who arecorrelated to the selected particular member as well as humanrelationships data.

[0029] In order to use the registered human relationships data, a memberinputs his or her identification code in the first data inputting step.Once identified, the member is allowed to gain access to his or herregistration and personal data. This prevents the foregoing data frombeing infinitely retrieved by members, and protects the data.

[0030] As another way of using the registered data, a member may specifya particular occupation and/or technical field in order to indicatemembers classified in the specified occupation and/or technical field.Therefore, the member can easily retrieve data of the desired membersout of the human relationships data.

[0031] In a still further way of using the registered data in whichrelationships coefficients between members are stored, a memberspecifies a particular member in the first data processing step, andindicates not only the human relationships data of the specified memberbut also those of the members correlated to the specified member and therelationships coefficients between the indicated members. This enablesthe member to easily know the relationships between the members and therelationships coefficients between them. In this case, it is alsopossible to indicate the members with a particular occupation and/or ina particular technical field, and the members correlated to theforegoing members. It is also possible to indicate the members havingthe relationships coefficients above a certain value. Therefore, themember can easily find desired members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032]FIG. 1 schematically shows how a human relationships registeringsystem is constituted via a general communication line such as anInternet.

[0033]FIG. 2 is a schematic human relationships diagram created by thehuman relationships registering system.

[0034]FIG. 3 shows an example of a Web page used for entering the Website offered by the human relationships registering system.

[0035]FIG. 4 shows an example of Web page used for registering apersonal data of a new member at the human relationships registeringsystem.

[0036]FIG. 5 shows an example of a Web page that an existing member usesfor confirming a personal data of a new member.

[0037]FIG. 6 shows an example of Web page used for retrieving data inthe human relationships registering system.

[0038]FIG. 7 shows an example of a Web page used for indicatingretrieved data.

[0039]FIG. 8 is another schematic human relationships diagram created bythe human relationships registering system.

[0040]FIG. 9 is a graph showing relationships coefficient betweenmembers which are stored in the server 1.

[0041]FIG. 10 shows an example of personal data stored in the server 1.

[0042] Description of Reference Numerals

[0043]2, 3 personal computers as first data processing units

[0044]1 server as a second data processing unit

[0045]4 Internet

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0046] The invention will be described with respect to a humanrelationships registering system shown in the accompanying drawings.FIG. 1 schematically shows that this system is constituted using theInternet.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, members are accessible via the Internet 4 toa server 1 as a second data processing unit from their personalcomputers 2 and 3 as first data processing units. Each personal computercomprises a computer body, an input section such as a keyboard, mouseand so on, a display, a memory such as a RAM, a hard disc, and so on.The server 1 is similar to the personal computer. The personal computermay include a printer in order to print data.

[0048] The server 1 provides a Web site for constituting the humanrelationships registering system, stores names and personal data ofregistered members, and has a database for retrieving the names andpersonal data of the registered members. The Web site of the server 1 isassigned an address for the Internet 4.

[0049] Each of the personal computers 2 and 3 stores a browser in thestorage such as a hard disc in order to perform communications via theInternet 4. The personal computer 2 or 3 activates the browser andspecifies an address, thereby connecting to the Web site of the humanrelationships registering system offered by the server 1.

[0050] An input section of the personal computer 2 or 3 transmitsregistering data to the server 1 via the Internet 4. When a registrationkeyword or the like is inputted, the server 1 retrieves necessary data.The retrieved data are indicated on a display of the personal computer 2or 3.

[0051] The use of the human relationships registering system will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG. 2. Is a schematic diagramshowing human relationships data which are created by the humanrelationships registering system. FIG. 3 shows an example of a Web pageused for entering the Web site offered by the server 1. FIG. 4 shows anexample of a Web page used for registering a personal data of a newmember at the human relationships registering system. FIG. 5 shows anexample of a Web page an existing member uses for confirming a personaldata of a new member. FIG. 6 shows an example of a Web page used forretrieving data in the human relationships registering system. FIG. 7 isan example of a Web page used to show retrieved results.

[0052] A new member is registered in the human relationships registeringsystem (called the “system” hereinafter) as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Forconvenience of description, it is assumed that an existing member A withthe personal computer 2 (called the “computer 2”) is going to introducea new member B who has the personal computer 3 and wishes to enter thesystem.

[0053] When the new member B enters the system by himself or herself, heor she activates the browser of the computer 3, inputs a Web siteaddress and gains access to the server 1 via the Internet 4. Thecomputer 3 receives the Web page 21 as shown in FIG. 3 from the server 1and indicates it on the display. The new member B clicks a newregistration button 25 on the Web page 21, so that a signal istransmitted to the server 1. The computer 3 receives the Web page 31 asshown in FIG. 4 from the server 1 and indicates it on the display.

[0054] In FIG. 3, reference numeral 22 denotes a column to input anidentification code, and reference numeral 23 denotes a column to inputa password. By the way, the identification code and the password areinputted in the columns 22 and 23 when an existing member gains accessto the server 1. Thereafter, the existing member can access the server 1after pushing an OK button 24.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 4, the new member B enters his or her name 32,occupation 34, address 35, telephone number 36, e-mail address 37,technical field 38 and password 40 as well as the introducer's name 33.Confirming the entered data, the new member B clicks an OK button 39.Thereafter, the data will be transmitted to the server 1 via theInternet 4.

[0056] The computer 2 of the introducer A (i.e. the existing member A)receives Web page 41 as shown in FIG. 5 from the server 1 in response toan e-mail. The Web page 41 indicates the new member B's name,occupation, technical field in columns 42, 43 and 44. Confirming thecontents, the introducer A clicks a confirmation button 45 on the Webpage 41. Thereafter, a confirmation signal is sent to the server 1. Inresponse to the confirmation signal, the server 1 stores the new memberB's personal data and password in correlation with the introducer A.FIG. 4 shows only some examples of data to be stored with respect to thenew member B. The following data may be added: a new member's age,academic backgrounds, occupational backgrounds, qualifications and soon. The entered data can be updated in the server 1 whenever there arechanges after the registration.

[0057] Alternatively, the introducer A may register the new member B. Inthis case, the introducer A enters the personal data of the new member B(shown in FIG. 4) using his computer 2 in order to send them to theserver 1. Thereafter, the computer 3 of the new member B receives thepersonal data from the server 1 by an e-mail. Confirming the receiveddata, the new member B returns the confirmation signal to the server 1.Thus, the new member B will be registered in the server 1.

[0058] Further, when receiving an e-mail address of the new member Bfrom the introducer A, the server 1 may send an e-mail to the new memberB in order to urge the new member B to register his or her personaldata. Upon receiving the personal data of the new member B, the server 1stores the received data in correlation with the introducer A's name andso on.

[0059] The new member's data are confirmed by the introducer, and arestored in correlation with the introducer. The server 1 creates humanrelationships data and a human relationships diagram showing the humanrelationships on the basis of the relationships between the new memberand the introducer. At the time of registration, a new member isassigned an identification code (ID No.).

[0060] The registered member can establish relationships with existingmembers, and obtain a relationship coefficient indicating degrees ofrelationships. For this purpose, members may send protocol e-mails toparticular existing members. For instance, a sender may indicate that heor she respects or admires an existing member and wishes to establishrelationships with the existing member, and so on. Such a protocole-mail may be sent to the existing member as an e-mail via the server 1.In response to the protocol e-mail, the existing member may meet thesender's request, and establish the relationships with the sender.Therefore, the sender can be related to the receiver (i.e. the existingmember), and obtain a relationships coefficient. As will be describedlater, the relationships coefficient is maximum when the relationshipsare directly established between members while the relationshipscoefficient becomes smaller when the relationships are indirectlyestablished via other members. In other words, it is possible toobjectively known a degree of relationships on the basis of therelationships coefficients.

[0061] The human relationships registering system shown in FIG. 1 andthe human relationships diagram will be utilized as describedhereinafter.

[0062] The server 1 creates a human relationships diagram as shown inFIG. 2 on the basis of the basic data in which members are registered incorrelation with one another, and on the basis of agreements betweenmembers who have exchanged protocol e-mails. The server 1 sends thehuman relationships diagram to the computer 3. In FIG. 2, referencenumerals 11 to 20 denote members, and lines denote members who arecorrelated with one another after exchanging protocol e-mails andagreeing to establish relationships. Further, relationships coefficientsof the correlated members may be indicated in the human relationshipsdiagram.

[0063] Relationships coefficients are updated each time new humanrelationships are established between registered members. The updatedrelationship coefficients are stored in the server 1. Therefore, latestrelationships can be known even after relationships are changed betweenregistered members.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 2, the member 13 is directly related to themembers 11, 14, 15, 16 and 18 while the member 13 is indirectly relatedto the members 12, 17, 19 and 20. Further, it is possible to indicateall the members having relationships coefficients which are larger thana predetermined value. Still further, it is possible to indicateoccupations and technical fields of members.

[0065] The following describe how the human relationships registeringsystem is actually operated with reference to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7. It isassumed here that the member B activates a browser of the computer 3 andconnects to the server 1 via the Internet 4. The Web page 21 (shown inFIG. 3) is indicated on the display of the computer 3. The member Benters his or her identification code (ID No.) and password on thecolumns 22 and 23 via the input section, and clicks the OK button 24.The input data are sent to the server 1, which confirms whether theidentification code agrees with the password, and indicates a Web page57 (shown in FIG. 6) on the display of the computer 3.

[0066] The identification codes are usually assigned to the members bythe server 1. Alternatively, members' e-mail addresses may be used asidentification codes.

[0067] In order to know the human relationships of the member 13 (shownin FIG. 2), the member B enters the data concerning the member 13 on thecolumns 52 to 55, clicks a retrieve button 56. Then, the Web page 61(shown in FIG. 7) is indicated on the display of the computer 3, andindicates on columns 63 to 67 the members 11, 15, 18, 12, 17 and so onwho are related to the member 13. The occupations and relationshipcoefficients of the members 11, 15, 18, 12, 17 and so on are indicatedon columns 70 and 71. In this case, it is possible to indicate only themembers whose relationship coefficients exceed the predetermined value.A plurality of retrieval keywords may be input in the columns 52 to 55.Further, the Web page 61 may indicate technical fields and so on of therelated members.

[0068] In order to retrieve data concerning members having particularoccupations or engaged in particular technical fields, the member Benters keywords of the particular occupations or technical fields in thecolumns 52 to 55. The entered data are sent to the server 1, whichretrieves desired data and indicates them on the computer 3.Alternatively, personal data of the retrieved members may be indicatedby double clicking the columns 63 to 67.

[0069] Further, the relationship coefficients may be used as thekeywords for the retrieval. In other words, it is possible to retrievemembers who are related to a particular member (who may be a retrievingmember) and have the relationships coefficient of a particular value.

[0070] According to the invention, it is possible to get acquainted withspecialists in various particular fields by indicating occupations andtechnical fields of members with the human relationships diagram.Therefore, the invention is useful in order to obtain expert knowledgeor information. In short, the human relationships diagram can be appliedas one of effective business measures.

[0071] Referring to the indicated relationships coefficients of members,some members who are not directly related to a desired member shown inthe human relationship diagram can find an introducer (another member)related to the desired member.

[0072] The relationships coefficients will be described in detail. FIGS.8(a) to 8(c) show examples of human relationship diagrams created ashuman relationships data. The human relationships change from a state(a) to a state (b) and to a state (c). In these drawings, characters M,I, D, S and N denote members who are connected by lines whenrelationships are established therebetween.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 8(a), the member M is directly related to themember I, and is indirectly related to the members D and S. The term“directly” means that the relationship is established between themembers M and I by exchanging the protocol e-mails therebetween. Theterm “indirectly” means that the member M has no direct relationshipwith the members D and S. In short, the member M is related to themembers D and S via the member I.

[0074] In FIG. 8(b), the members M and D are directly related to eachother by exchanging the protocol e-mails.

[0075]FIG. 8(c) shows that the member N is directly related to themember I by exchanging the protocol e-mails, and is indirectly relatedto the members M, D and S via the member I.

[0076] FIGS. 9(a) to 9(c) are tables showing examples of relationshipscoefficients of the members stored in the server 1. These tablescorrespond to FIG. 8(a) to 8(c), respectively. Characters ID-M, ID-I,ID-D, ID-S and ID-N denote the identification codes of the members M, I,D, S and N. The figures in FIGS. 9(a) to 9(c) are the relationshipcoefficients between members.

[0077] A maximum relationships coefficient “1.0” is assigned whenmembers are directly related to each other. The relationshipscoefficient “1.0” is halved as the number of intermediate membersincreases. In short, a relationship coefficient “0.5” is assigned to afirst member and a third member when a first member is related to athird member via a second member who is directly related to the firstmember. A minimum relationship coefficient “0.25” is assigned to a firstmember and a fourth member when the first member is related to thefourth member via the second member and the third member who is directlyrelated to the second member.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 9(a), the relationships coefficients assignedto the member M are “1.0” based on direct relationship to the member I,“0.5” based on relationship to the member D via the member I, “0.25”based on relationship to the member S via the members I and D.

[0079] In the example shown in FIG. 9(b), if the member M is directlyrelated to the member D (by exchanging the protocol e-mails), therelationships coefficient is changed to “1.0” between the members M andD. Further, the relationships coefficient is changed to “0.5” betweenthe member M and the member S who is directly related to the member D.Needless to say, the relationship coefficient remains “1.0” between themember M and I who are directly related.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 9(c), the relationships coefficient “1.0” isassigned to the member N who is directly related to the member I. Therelationships coefficient “0.5” is assigned to the member N who isrelated to the members D and M via the member I. The relationshipscoefficient “0.25” is assigned to the member N who is related to themember S via the members I and D.

[0081] As described above, it is possible to objectively know degrees ofthe human relationships on the basis of the relationship coefficients.The following describe a case in which the member S (shown in FIG. 8(a))retrieves data of existing members using a keyword “law” representing atechnical field.

[0082]FIG. 10 shows an example of personal data of the members M, I, Dand S which are stored in the server 1. In response to the keyword “law”entered by the member S, the server 1 retrieves and outputs dataconcerning the members M and I who are practicing the law. In this case,the relationships coefficients between the member S and the members Mand I (shown in FIG. 8(a)) may be also indicated. This enables themember S to check the presence of the member whose relationshipcoefficient is high to the member S. Further, the server 1 may indicatea human relationships diagram concerning the members S, M and I (shownin FIG. 8(a)). On the basis of the human relationships diagram, themember S who is retrieving the data can confirm the degree ofrelationships with the members M, I and himself or herself. For example,the member S can know that he or she is accessible to the member I viathe member D who is directly related to the members I and S.

[0083] When a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM whichstores the program for executing the human relationships registeringmethod of the invention is used, another computer (not shown) canfunction as a server by reading the stored program similarly to theserver 1.

[0084] Although the invention has been described with respect to oneembodiment thereof, it will be understood that various modifications oralterations are possible without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention. For instance, a plurality of computers may beconnected to a server using a dedicated line such as a LAN in place ofthe Internet. The Web pages are simply shown as examples, and may beconfigured as desired.

[0085] Effects of the Invention

[0086] The invention is effective and useful when persons create humanrelationships data in order to get acquainted with specialists invarious particular fields, and obtain expert knowledge or information.

[0087] According to the invention, the relationships coefficients arenot assigned until relationships are established between members aftermutual agreements are reached. The invention actively assists persons toestablish wide and close relationships between members registered in thehuman relationships registering system.

[0088] Further, when some member retrieves data on existing members,relationship coefficients of the retrieving member and the existingmembers whose data are being retrieved are indicated. The retrievingmember can select at least members who are close to him or her.

What is claimed is:
 1. A human relationships registering systemcomprising: a first data processing unit including section for inputtingpersonal data of new members; and a second data processing unitincluding section for storing the received personal data of the newmembers by confirming relationships of the new members with existingmembers and by correlating the new members with the existing members. 2.The human relationships registering system of claim 1, wherein thesecond data processing unit stores relationships coefficientsrepresenting degrees of relationships between particular members whoagree to establish human relationships therebetween, and storesrelationships coefficients of members who are related to the members whoagree to establish human relationships.
 3. The human relationshipsregistering system of claim 2, wherein the agreement between the membersis confirmed by exchanging e-mails.
 4. The human relationshipsregistering system of claim 2 or 3, wherein the second data processingunit creates human relationships data on the basis of stored personaldata and relationships coefficients in response to members' requests andprovide the created data to the members.
 5. A method of registeringhuman relationships, comprising: inputting personal data of new membersin a server; and storing the personal data of the new members in theserver by confirming the new members' relationships with existingmembers and by correlating the new members with the existing members. 6.The method of registering human relationships of claim 5, furthercomprising: storing relationships coefficients representing degrees ofrelationships between particular members who agree to establish humanrelationships therebetween, and relationships coefficients of memberswho are related to the members who agree to establish humanrelationships.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the agreement betweenthe members is confirmed by exchanging e-mails.
 8. The method of claim 6or 7, further comprising: creating human relationships data on the basisof stored personal data and relationships coefficients in response tomembers' requests and providing the created data to the members.
 9. Aserver for registering human relationships, comprising: a section forreceiving personal data of new members; a section for confirming thereceived personal data by referring them back to existing members; and asection for storing the confirmed data in correlation with the existingmembers.
 10. The server of claim 9, wherein the storing section storesrelationships coefficients representing degrees of relationships betweenparticular members who agree to establish human relationships, andrelationships coefficients of members who are related to the members whoagree to establish human relationships.
 11. The server of claim 10,wherein the agreement between the members is confirmed by exchanginge-mails.
 12. The server of claim 10 or 11, wherein human relationshipsdata are created on the basis of stored personal data and relationshipscoefficients between members in response to members' requests, and thecreated data are provided to the members.
 13. A human relationshipsregistering program used by a server defined in any one of claims 9 to12, the server being a computer.
 14. A recording medium for storing thehuman relationships registering program defined in claim 13, and beingreadable by a computer.